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Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme

The ECCE programme is a universal programme available to all children within the eligible age range. It provides children with their first formal experience of early learning prior to commencing primary school. The programme is provided for three hours per day, five days per week over 38 weeks per year and the programme year runs from September to June each year. There are three points of entry throughout the programme year – September, January and April. Childcare services taking part in the ECCE scheme must provide an appropriate pre-school educational programme which adheres to the principles of Síolta, the national framework for early years care and education.

NOTICE

NOTICE

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dr Katherine Zappone TD, has introduced a new model to enable children with disabilities to access and fully participate in the Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Programme.

Qualifications

ECCE Higher Capitation for Service Provider

Higher Capitation will be paid for individual ECCE Sessions where the ECCE Room leader holds a qualification recognised as meeting the minimum contract requirements for ECCE (“Higher Cap”) as set out on the published list of ‘Early Years Recognised Qualifications’, (or must otherwise be deemed eligible by the DCYA), and have a minimum of 3 years’ experience working in the childcare sector. Services that have multiple ECCE sessions, but only one/some with a Room Leader with the necessary higher capitation qualification can avail of higher capitation funding for the part(s) of their service delivered by the ECCE Room leader(s).

Minimum ECCE Enrolment Exemptions

In certain circumstances a service may receive an exemption from the minimum number of ECCE children required per session for an ECCE contract. For more information and how to apply please see our information document and application form.